Psychology Program Manager - Recovery Services

Division Director of Recovery Services

As the Division Director of Recovery Services, the incumbent has clinical, technical, professional, supervisory, and administrative responsibility for all aspects of the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) division in the Behavioral Health Service. Recovery Services is made up of multiple programs which include Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Low Intensity Rehabilitation and Aftercare, Ambulatory Detoxification, On-site Suboxone (buprenorphine) services, and Dual Diagnosis Treatment (both SUD/PTSD and SUD/SMD).

The incumbent interprets policies, procedures, directives, information letters, etc., from VA Central Office, the VISN, and local facility leadership in order to assure adherence by Recovery Services staff. The incumbent develops and maintains policies and procedures concerning patient care, specifying program and service operation, and evaluating such programs and services as necessary. Provides public relations and community education regarding the VA, and responsible programs and services to various social, medical, mental health, legal and housing and welfare organizations. These include Federal, State, County, and City government offices, as well as private non-profit service agencies and organizations. The incumbent represents the VA at meetings with stakeholders, community partners and other agencies, and collaborates to form partnerships and develop alternatives and improvements to the current system of program and service delivery.

The incumbent manages and coordinates day to day operations, administrative tasks, clinical staff, and quality improvement meetings and activities. The incumbent oversees the practice, qualifications, competencies and ethical standards and concerns that may arise from the staff and the treatment provided. The incumbent oversees the provision of services to all Recovery Services programs. Incumbent reviews workload, productivity, utilization, and cost data for staff, programs and services, and such data is communicated to the staff for program and service assessment, implementation and evaluation. The incumbent carries full administrative responsibility and consults closely with local discipline leadership regarding clinical issues. The incumbent must know and understand a wide range of clinical concepts, administrative principles, and management practices, and must possess skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex situations. The incumbent must have knowledge of VA administrative procedures relative to personnel actions, control point and fiscal management, veteran eligibility and benefits, and community resources. The incumbent serves as Control Point Official for funds related to Recovery Services.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Relocation/Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Available (Ad hoc)

Functional Statement #: 92899-O

Requirements Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.
• English Language Proficiency. Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education. Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed.
• Internships. Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
• Licensure. Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Exception. Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed.

Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.

Grade Determinations:

Psychology Program Manager, GS-14 Experience. At least 3 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools.
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
• Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
• Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some bending, walking and stopping required. This position requires the ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading computer screens and the ability to accurately perceive depth to move around workplace safely and to make appropriate contact with patients and staff.

Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information